728 - عن عمر بن أبي سلمة رضي الله عنه قال قال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : [ سم الله وكل بيمينك وكل مما يليك ] متفق عليه 728. `Umar bin Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said to me, "Mention Allah's Name (i.e., say Bismillah before starting eating), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is near you.) [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: There are two things about this Hadith. First, we should start eating or drinking by pronouncing the Name of Allah. Second, we should eat from our side without stretching our hand to the side where someone else is eating. This may be the case when more than one or two people are eating the same kind of food from a single dish. Good manners do not allow it, yet in case a variety of food or fruit is lying before us on the table, we are free to take our pick.

729 - وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : [ إذا أكل أحدكم فليذكر اسم الله تعالى فإن نسي أن يذكر اسم الله تعالى في أوله فليقل بسم الله أوله وآخره ] رواه أبو داود والترمذي وقال حديث حسن صحيح 729. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When any of you wants to eat, he should mention the Name of Allah in the begining, (i.e., say Bismillah). If he forgets to do it in the beginning, he should say Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu (I begin with the Name of Allah at the beginning and at the end).) [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud]. Commentary: This Hadith provides us a concession. If we have forgotten to pronounce the Name of Allah before beginning to eat, we can do it during eating or in the end.

730 - وعن جابر رضي الله عنه قال سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يقول : [ إذا دخل الرجل بيته فذكر الله تعالى عند دخوله وعند طعامه قال الشيطان لأصحابه : لا مبيت لكم ولا عشاء وإذا دخل فلم يذكر الله تعالى عند دخوله قال الشيطان أدركتم المبيت وإذا لم يذكر الله تعالى عند طعامه قال أدركتم المبيت والعشاء ] رواه مسلم 730. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "If a person mentions the Name of Allah upon entering his house or eating, Satan says, addressing his followers: `You will find no where to spend the night and no dinner.' But if he enters without mentioning the Name of Allah, Satan says (to his followers); `You have found (a place) to spend the night in, and if he does not mention the Name of Allah at the time of eating, Satan says: `You have found (a place) to spend the night in as well as food.)' [Muslim]. Commentary: Herein, we are told that in order to ward off Satan and his followers, we are supposed to remember Allah before entering our house and before beginning to eat. The remembrance of Allah implies those appropriate prayers of the Prophet (PBUH) which have been mentioned in Ahadith. For example, we are instructed to pronounce the Name of Allah before beginning to eat. On entering our house we recite the following Prophetic prayer: "Allahumma inni as'aluka khairal-mawliji wa khairal-makhraji. Bismillahi wa lajna, wa bismillahi kharajna, wa `al-Allahi rabbina tawakkalna.) (O Allah! I ask you for what is good of entrance and what is good for exit. With the Name of Allah do we enter, and with the Name of Allah do we leave, and upon our Rubb Allah have we put our trust).

731 - وعن حذيفة رضي الله عنه قال : كنا إذا حضرنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم طعاما لم نضع أيدينا حتى يبدأ رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم فيضع يده وإنا حضرنا معه مرة طعاما فجاءت جارية كأنها تدفع فذهبت لتضع يدها في الطعام فأخذ رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم بيدها ثم جاء أعرابي كأنما يدفع فأخذ بيده فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : [ إن الشيطان يستحل الطعام أن لا يذكر اسم الله تعالى عليه وإنه جاء بهذه الجارية ليستحل بها فأخذت بيدها فجاء بهذا الأعرابي ليستحل به فأخذت بيده والذي نفسي بيده إن يده في يدي مع يديهما ] ثم ذكر اسم الله تعالى وأكل . رواه مسلم 731. Hudhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When we attended a meal with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), we would not stretch forth our hands towards the food until he (PBUH) would start eating first. Once, we were with him when a little girl rushed in as if someone was impelling her. She was about to lay her hand on the food when the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) caught her hand. Then a bedouin came in rushing as if someone were pushing him. He (PBUH) caught his hand also and said, "Satan considers that food lawful for himself on which the Name of Allah is not mentioned. He (Satan) brought this girl to make the food lawful through her but I caught her hand. Then he brought the bedouin to make it lawful through him but I caught his hand too. By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, now Satan's hand is in my grasp along with their hands.) Then he mentioned the Name of Allah and began to eat. [Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i]. Commentary: Here, too, we are told that if we do not pronounce Allah's Name, Satan and his minions will share our meal with us. So prior to eating, we must pronounce the Name of Allah. An incident is related in this Hadith. Once, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and his Companions were just to start taking their meal when an unknown girl and a bedouin burst upon the scene. Without seeking the formal permission and pronouncing the Name of Allah they hurriedly stretched their hands to eat. Yet, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) restrained them from doing so. Owing to Divine inspiration, he had seen the hidden hand of the Devil behind their abrupt actions. We have only one way to escape the Devil, that is, on such occasions we should first pronounce the Name of Allah. Second, this Hadith enlightens us on table manners calling for decency and decorum. It will be called an act of sheer indecency to voraciously pounce upon food as is commonly witnessed in feasts and weddings. Indeed, it is the result of deviation from Islamic teachings that many Muslims have grown ignorant of the Prophet's manner of eating. Allah, too, has left them unrestrained in their beast-like hunger.

732 - وعن أمية بن مخشي الصحابي رضي الله عنه قال : كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم جالسا ورجل يأكل فلم يسم حتى لم يبق من طعامه إلا لقمة فلما رفعها إلى فيه قال : بسم الله أوله وآخره . فضحك النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم ثم قال : [ ما زال الشيطان يأكل معه فلما ذكر اسم الله استقاء ما في بطنه ] رواه أبو داود والنسائي 732. Umaiyyah bin Makhshi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was sitting while a man was eating food. That man did not mention the Name of Allah (before commencing to eat) till only a morsel of food was left. When he raised it to his mouth, he said: "Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu (With the Name of Allah, in the beginning and in the end).) Messenger of Allah (PBUH) smiled at this and said, "Satan had been eating with him but when he mentioned the Name of Allah, Satan vomited all that was in his stomach.) [Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i]. Commentary: This Hadith also informs us that Satan shares food and drink with those people who do not mention the Name of Allah. 733. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was eating with his six Companions when a desert Arab came and ate up the food in two mouthfuls. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Had he mentioned the Name of Allah, it would have sufficed for all of you.) [At-Tirmidhi]. Commentary: The pronouncement of Allah's Name brings blessing to the meal, and the omission of His Name robs blessing away.

735. Mu`adh bin Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who has taken food and says at the end: `Al-hamdu lillahi-lladhi at`amani hadha, wa razaqanihi min ghairi haulin minni wa la quwwatin (All praise is due to Allah Who has given me food to eat and provided it without any endeavour on my part or any power),' all his past sins will be forgiven.) At-Tirmidh i]. Commentary: This Hadith tells us that if we praise Allah after taking a meal, all our minor sins committed in the past will be forgiven by Him.

736 - عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال : ما عاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم طعاما قط : إن اشتهاه أكله وإن كرهه تركه . متفق عليه 736. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) never found fault with food. If he had inclination to eating it, he would eat; and if he disliked it, he would leave it. Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith throws light on the Prophet's excellent manners which ought to be followed by all Muslims. It is a deplorable state of affairs that when we find a dish a bit unsavoury, we lose our temper and create quite a scene in the house. May we follow the excellent example of our Prophet (PBUH)!

737 - وعن جابر رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم سأل أهله الأدم فقالوا : ما عندنا إلا خل فدعا به فجعل يأكل ويقول : [ نعم الأدم الخل نعم الأدم الخل ] رواه مسلم 737. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) asked for sauce and was told that there was nothing except vinegar. He asked for it and began to eat from it saying, "How excellent is vinegar when eaten as sauce! How excellent is vinegar when eaten as Udm!) Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith speaks about the simplicity and humility of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) with regard to food. As he abstained from a luxurious lifestyle, he hardly craved for delicious food. No mention of dainties, he would readily eat whatever was available to him.

738 - عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : [ إذا دعي أحدكم فليجب فإن كان صائما فليصل وإن كان مفطرا فليطعم ] رواه مسلم قال العلماء : معنى [ فليصل ] : فليدع ومعنى [ فليطعم ] : فليأكل 738. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When any of you is invited to a meal, he should accept the invitation. If he is observing Saum (fasting), he should supplicate for the betterment of the host and if he is not fasting, he should eat.) Muslim]. Commentary: Shari`ah permits a person to break a voluntary fasting. The example of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) clearly shows that it is not binding on him to keep it again as a redeeming step. A man is, therefore, free to break his voluntary fasting and participate in the feast to which he is invited. However, if somebody is reluctant to break the fast, he should pray for the good and welfare of the host. But we should refuse to attend such treats which are flagrantly masked by extravagance and frivolous un-Islamic rites to the disobedience of Allah.

103 - باب ما يقوله من دعي إلى طعام فتبعه غيره Chapter 103 What should one say to the Host if an uninvited Person is accompanied with an invited Person

739 - عن أبي مسعود البدري رضي الله عنه قال : دعا رجل النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم لطعام صنعه له خامس خمسة فتبعهم رجل فلما بلغ الباب قال النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم : [ إن هذا تبعنا فإن شئت أن تأذن وإن شئت رجع ] قال : بل آذن له يا رسول الله . متفق عليه 739. Abu Mas`ud Al-Badri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man prepared some food especially for the Prophet (PBUH) and invited him along with four others. But a man accompanied him. Having arrived at the door, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to the host, "This person has followed us. You may allow him, if you like, and if you like he will return.) He said: "O Messenger of Allah, I allow him, too.) [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: It will be considered an expression of bad manners if somebody participates in a feast as an uninvited, parasitic guest. Yet, he stands a chance in case he is allowed by the host. In this Hadith, there is a case when Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to the host that it was up to him to let the uninvited person to stay for food or go. However, the invitees may take along with them two or three uninvited guests if they believe that the host will not take it ill.

741 - وعن سلمة بن الأكوع رضي الله عنه أن رجلا أكل عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم بشماله فقال : [ كل بيمينك ] قال : لا أستطيع . قال : [ لا استطعت ] ما منعه إلا الكبر فما رفعها إلى فيه . رواه مسلم 741. Salamah bin Al-Akwa` (May Allah be pleased with him) reported on the authority of his father: A man ate with his left hand in the presence of Messenger of Allah (PBUH), whereupon he said, "Eat with your right hand.) The man said: "I cannot do that.) Thereupon he (the Prophet (PBUH)) said, "May you not be able to do that.) It was vanity that prevented him from doing it and he could not raise it (the right hand) up to his mouth afterwards. [Muslim]. Commentary: This report has already been given earlier and is being repeated here owing to its relevance to the chapter. In the light of this Hadith, we are supposed to keep table manners in our focus and also to urge others to observe them. Furthermore, it is extremely undesirable to deny a reality out of sheer arrogance as it incurs the displeasure of Allah. We are also informed of a miracle of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) whose supplications were instantly answered.

742 - عن جبلة بن سحيم قال : أصابنا عام سنة مع ابن الزبير فرزقنا تمرا فكان عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما يمر بنا ونحن نأكل فيقول : لا تقارنوا فإن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم نهى عن القران . ثم يقول : إلا أن يستأذن الرجل أخاه . متفق عليه 742. Jabalah bin Suhaim reported: We were with `Abdullah bin Az-Zubair (May Allah be pleased with them) in a time of famine, then we were provided with dates. (Once) when we were eating, `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) passed by us and said: "Do not eat two dates together, for Messenger of Allah (PBUH) prohibited it, unless one seeks permission from his brother (partner).) [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith has a lesson for today's Muslims whose majority seems to be ignorant of good manners. It is commonly seen at feasts that somebody, unconcerned about others around him, will be engaged in filling his own plate with food. Such a greed of eating is against the Prophet's teaching and guidance which inspire us to have a due regard for others and not to serve our own purpose alone.

106 - باب ما يقوله ويفعله من يأكل ولا يشبع Chapter 106 What should a Person say or do when he Eats but is not Satisfied

744 - فيه قوله صلى الله عليه و سلم : [ وكل مما يليك ] متفق عليه كما سبق ( انظر الحديث رقم 737 ) وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم قال : [ البركة تنزل وسط الطعام فكلوا من حافتيه ولا تأكلوا من وسطه ] رواه أبو داود والترمذي وقال حديث حسن صحيح 744. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Blessing descends upon food in its middle, so eat from the sides of the vessel and do not eat from its middle.) [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud]. Commentary: This Hadith tells us that if a few people or members of the same family recite the Name of Allah and take meal at the same table, a two-fold benefit will accrue to them. Their hunger will be sated with their subsistence being given the Divine blessing. And if they do otherwise, the result will be otherwise too.

747 - وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال : رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم جالسا مقعيا يأكل تمرا . رواه مسلم [ المقعي ] هو : الذي يلصق أليتيه بالأرض وينصب ساقيه 747. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw Messenger of Allah (PBUH) eating some dates while sitting on his buttocks, with his legs raised. [Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith sheds light on another sitting posture of Messenger of Allah (PBUH). But it betrays his uneasy state. In fact, when he was in a hurry he would be eager by eating a few dates so that he might be free to attend to some more important business. Also a report of Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) quoted by Muslim explains this state of mind of Messenger of Allah (PBUH).

748 - عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : [ إذا أكل أحدكم طعاما فلا يمسح أصابعه حتى يلعقها أو يلعقها ] متفق عليه 748. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When one of you finishes eating, he should not wipe his fingers until he has licked them himself or has given them to someone else to lick for him.) [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) instructed his followers that after taking meal they should lick up their fingers before they wash or wipe them with a towel. Or they may get them licked by somebody - wife, son or disciple - provided he or she feels no aversion to doing so. Since Messenger of Allah (PBUH) approved of this act, it is commendable. As to its rationale, the subsequent Ahadith will offer exposition.

749 - وعن كعب بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال : رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يأكل بثلاث أصابع فإذا فرغ لعقها . رواه مسلم 749. Ka`b bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw Messenger of Allah (PBUH) eating with three fingers (i.e., the thumb, the index finger and the middle finger) and licking them after having finished the food. [Muslim]. Commentary: To use less than three fingers for eating speaks of the manner of the arrogant, whereas to use both hands to this end is indicative of an overpowering greed. So, the best way of eating is that shown by Messenger of Allah (PBUH). Here, too, is the affirmation of licking the fingers after taking meal, and not during it.

750 - وعن جابر رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم أمر بلعق الأصابع والصحفة وقال : [ إنكم لا تدرون في أي طعامكم البركة ] رواه مسلم 750. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) commanded the licking of fingers and the gleaning of the dish, saying, "You do not know in which portion the blessing lies.) [Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith underlines the wisdom behind licking the fingers and the vessel. The eater never knows whether a blessing underlies what has been eaten by him, or the particles sticking to his fingers and vessels contain it. Those particles, therefore, should not be wasted; they should be made part of food by being licked. They may be invested with a blessing and proved more useful for the eater's health and strength. Moreover, by this way he escapes disregarding the Bounty of Allah.

751 - وعنه رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم قال : [ إذا وقعت لقمة أحدكم فليأخذها فليمط ما كان بها من أذى وليأكلها ولا يدعها للشيطان ولا يمسح يده بالمنديل حتى يلعق أصابعه فإنه لا يدري في أي طعامه البركة ] رواه مسلم 751. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When a morsel of any of you falls, he should pick it up and remove any of the dirt on it and then eat it, and should not leave it for Satan nor should wipe his hand with towel until he has licked his fingers, for he does not know in what portion of the food the blessing lies.) [Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith tells us to pick up a fallen morsel and eat it after cleaning the dirt that may have stuck on it. This marks the expression of humility overcoming Satan as well as getting the blessing. Present-day Muslims hardly care for this directive of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) because they think that this act will bring disgrace and dishonour upon them. To make matters worse, they throw away a large quantity of unconsumed food in street dumps and dunghills and drains. They even deem it necessary to leave over some food in plates and dishes, still less of licking them. What a pity, the Muslim community has gone far away from the teachings and excellent example of their Prophet (PBUH)! رياض الصالحين